The Premier League is witnessing an intense race as Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal compete to sign Ajax’s highly-talented attacker, Mohammed Kudus.
However, the battle has recently taken an unexpected twist with Brighton & Hove Albion joining the fray.
Kudus, 22, has spent the past three years at Ajax, but it was during the 2022-23 season that he truly showcased his abilities.
The Ghanaian international netted an impressive 18 goals and provided six assists in 42 appearances across various competitions.
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His tally includes 11 goals in 30 Eredivisie matches and four strikes in six Champions League group-stage encounters. Moreover, Kudus contributed two goals for his national team during the 2022 World Cup.
While Kudus still has two years left on his Ajax contract, it is widely anticipated that he will seek a move away from the club, especially after their failure to qualify for the upcoming Champions League campaign.
In fact, Kudus’s agent Jennifer Mendelewitsch hinted at a potential big-money transfer this summer, emphasizing that it is the right time for the talented attacker to explore new opportunities.
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The Premier League appears to be Kudus’s preferred destination, with Manchester United expressing strong interest under the guidance of former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag.
However, they face competition from Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool, as well as European heavyweights Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Borussia Dortmund.
Interestingly, Brighton has now emerged as a serious contender in the race for Kudus’s signature. Journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that the Seagulls have shown a concrete interest in the Ghanaian attacker.
While a potential move to the Amex Stadium is not an easy deal to complete, Brighton’s pursuit highlights their ambition to strengthen their squad after an impressive sixth-place finish in the Premier League last season.
This season, the club will embark on their inaugural Europa League group stage campaign.
Chelsea, on the other hand, have identified Kudus as a potential replacement for Kai Havertz, who is reportedly bound for Arsenal. However, Romano reveals that the Blues have yet to initiate substantive discussions to secure the services of the talented Ajax star.
Kudus has displayed remarkable versatility throughout his career, operating as an advanced midfielder during his initial seasons at Ajax.
However, in the 2022-23 campaign, he showcased his adaptability by excelling as a central striker or on the right flank.
For Brighton, Kudus’s flexibility aligns perfectly with the vision of head coach Roberto De Zerbi, who aims to build on the club’s recent successes.
The Seagulls have already made three signings this summer, including midfield duo James Milner and Mahmoud Dahoud on free transfers, and forward Joao Pedro from Watford for a club-record fee.
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Additionally, Brighton is closing in on the €20 million (£17 million) acquisition of Anderlecht goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, who expressed his desire to compete in the Premier League.
Despite their proactive transfer activities, Brighton has bid farewell to World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister, who joined Liverpool.
Moreover, star midfielder Moises Caicedo might also depart the South Coast club this summer, with Chelsea displaying keen interest in securing his services.
As the battle for Mohammed Kudus’s signature intensifies, football enthusiasts eagerly await the outcome of this high-stakes contest between Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, and now Brighton & Hove Albion.